Lighting apparatus



Feb. l0. 1925.

J. RUMPF LIGHTING APPrATUs Filed Feb. 26 1923 I N VE NTOR ATTORNE Y Patented Feb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RUMPF, Ol NEW MTLEORD BOROUGH, NEvV JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO THE SAFETY CAB HEATING & LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OIF NEW JERSEY.

LIGHTING APPARATUS.

Application led February 26, 1923. Serial No. 621,122.

ToV all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN RUMPF, a citi- Zen of the United States, and a resident of borough of New Milford, county of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, have invented an lmprcvement in Lighting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to lighting apparatus and with regard to its more specific features to flashing gas lights. One of the objects thereof is to provide a device of the above nature of simple and practical construction, highly dependable in action.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature capable of long-continued service in a satisfactory manner with infrequent attention. Another object is to provide such a device wherein the parts are easily assembled, and in assembled relation are easily accessible in the event of needed replacement or repair. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part-pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the so following claims.

ln the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this inventio-n,

Figure 1 is a top plan View;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, certain parts being cut away to more fully disclose the structure;

Figure 3 is an upward plan view in section, the section being taken substantially along the line 3--3 of lig. 2; and

Figure t is a detached segmental view, partly in section, of certain parts shown in the preceding figures.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, with reference first particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a casing comprising to substantially two parts,a lower body portion 10 and an upper body portion 11 forming a closure for the top of the body portion 10, and secured thereto as by means of screws 12 passing through the member 11 and entering a flange 10 of the member 10. Upon its outer surface the cover or body member 11 is provided with a boss 13 provided with a threaded opening 14 at one end thereof adapted to receive a pipe connection as 15 from any desired source of gas supply. Although any desired illuminating gas may be employed in this apparatus, it is particularly adapted for use in connection with gas stored under pressure, as, for example, Pintsch gas. Connected with the opening 14 in the boss 13 is a passage 16 of smaller diameter from which extend two passages 17 and 18. v rlhe passage 18 extends into an upright burner 19 which serves as a pilot light and is provided with a pilot tip 20. The passage 18 is controlled by a needle valve 21 operated by a regulating screw 22 projecting from the side of the boss 13. The passage 17 leads to a chamber 23 where it is controlled by a needle valve 24 operated by a regulating screw 25. The chamber 23 is in communication by means of a passage 26 with a recess 27 formed in the lower face of the body member 11, as

shown more clearly in Fig. 4C. Within this recess 27 is inserted a bushing-like member 28 provided with a passage 29 therethrough. The lower portion of the member 28 projecting from the recess 27 thus forms a substantially annular member 30 which rests snugly up against the lower face of thebody member 11 and which serves as a valve seat.

Fitted into a recess 3l in the top portion of the boss 13 is a gas burner 32 positioned adjacent the pilot burner 19. The recess 31 below the end of the burner 32 is in communication with the burner tip 33 through the stem of the burner 32 and is also in communication by means of a passage 34 with a recess 35 similar to the recess 27 just described formed in the lower face of the body member 11. Fitted within the recess 35 is a member 36 similar to the member 28 and forminga valve seat 37 similar to the valve seat 30. The openings of the two valve seats 30 and 37 open into a chamber 38 formed within the body member 10 and between the body member 10 and the cover member 1l. Thus there is provided a passage from the gas supply pipe 15 past the needle valve 23 through the valve seat 30 to the chamber 28 and thence through the valve seat 37 to the burner 32.

Considering now the mounting and operation of the valves which cooperate with the valve seats 30 and 37, depending from the lower face of the cover member 1l are three lugs 39, 40 and 4l, substantially in alignment, clearly shown in Fig. 3. ln- Serted in an opening in the lug 40 and adjustably secured therein by means of screws 42 is a pivot member 43 having pointed ends projecting from either side of the lug 40. Adjustably secured within the lugs 39 and 4l by means ot screws 44 are a pair of pointed pivot members 45 and 46, respectively, positioned substantially in line with the member 43. lotatably held between the pointed end of the member 45 and an end of the member 43 is a shaft 47 to which is secured a transverse rocker arm 48 which is shown more clearly in Fig. 4. At either' end of the rocker arm 48 are provided valve members'49 and 50 tirmly joined thereto as by solder and in such position as to assure a constant parallel surface between the valve member 49 and the valve seat 37 and between the valve member 50 and the valve seat 30 when the respective valves are closed.

The valve members 49 and 50 are provided on their upper surfaces with Hat metal disks 52 adapted to cooperate respectivelyv with the valve seats 37 and 30. lt will be seen that as the arm 48 rocks with the shaft 47, at one end of its movement the passage trom the source ot supply to the chamber 38 is closed by the valve 50 and the passage from the chamber 38 to the burner 32 is open. rllie arm 48 is shown in this position in Fig. 4. Atthe other end ot its rocking movement the opening in the valve seat 3? will be closed by the valve 49 and the opening in the valve seat 30 will be open. in this latter position there a flow et gas from the source of' supply to the cham 3er 38 while in the position shown in Fig. 4 this iiow is cut off and there is a vflow of gas -from the chamber 38 to the burner 32.

Referring now again to Fig. 3, secured to a shaft 53 rotatably held between the pointed member 46 and an end ot the meniber 43 is a U-shaped lever member 54, the two a ms of which extend opposite to the ends of the arm 48. Adjacent each end of the member 54 and substantially opposite to the adjacent end of the arm 48 are provided openings in which are slidably litted bushings 55 bearing against the outer ends ot which are fiat leat` springs 56 secured to trie member 54 by means of screws 57. Between the bushings 55 and the adjacent ends ot the arm 48 are positioned a pair of struts 58 having cone-pointed ends. t will be seen that since the arm 48 and the member 54 are both movable, being pivoted about substantially the same airis,

the members 58 `form a toggle connection therebetween. rlfhe struts 58 are of such iength that when the arm 48 is substantially in line with the bushings 55 the struts 58 will thrust the bushings 55 outwardly aga-inst the action of the springs 56, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. VVhenthe' the left-hand side thereof downwardly brings the struts 58 into line with the arm 48. ribis action above described thrusts the bushings 55 outwardly and distorts the springs As soon as the lever 54 is rotated sutiiciently to carry the struts 58 past this central position, namely, in line with the arm 48, the energy in the distorted springs 56 will suddenly be released snapping the arm 48 quickly to a position op-V posite to that shown in F ig. 4, since the arm 48 is freely pivoted between the pointed members 43 and 45. In this position, as above described, the valve 49 is closed and the valve 50 is open permitting flow of gas from the source of supply to the chamber 38 and cutting oit' flow from the chamber 38 to the burner 32. A clockwise rotation or' the lever 54 about its axis will now have the reverse the valves will be snapped bacli to the position shown in Fig. 4. .lt is to be noted that the movement ot the arm 48 and consequently the opening and closing oi" the valves will be almost instantaneous regardless ot' the speed ot movement of the lever about its axis. Also, upon movement ot the arm 48 the opening and closing of the respective valves occurs substantially simultaneously.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the interior of the casing l0 is provided with a partition 60 forming a portion ot' the lower wall of the chan'iber The partition 60 is provided with an opening 6l in which is positioned a diaphragm 62, the edges of which are clamped between the partition 60 and a ring I63 secured thereto.V by means of screws The central portion of the diaphragm 62 is clamped between the two plates and 5G by means ot a clamping bolt 6? provided with clampintY nuts 67a and Gib. The ring (i3 is provided with a depending portion 68 between which and the lower clamping plate 68 is supported a compression spring Secured to the upper end ot the clamping bolt 6? is an arm 70 which projects upwardly therefrom and is the inlet valve 50 beingl pivotally connected to a lug 71 secured to the lever 54 as is shown in Fig. 3. The diaphragm 62 is thus exposed to gas pressure within the chamber 38 and the eect of the gas pressure thereon is opposed by the compression spring 69. Through the arm 70 the lever 54 is caused to rotate about its axis in response to movements of the diaphragm 62. A pressure of gas in the chamber 38 greater than the force exerted by the spring 69 will cause a downward movement of the diaphragm 62 and through the arm 70 a clockwise rotation of the lever 54 about its axis as viewed in Fig. 2. Conversely, a pressure within the chamber 38 less than that exerted by the spring 69 will result in a counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 54. The eect of such rotation of the lever 54 upon the arm 48 and the valves 49 and 50 is as has been described above.

In operation, a source of gas supply, preferably Pintsch gas as above mentioned, is connected with the apparatus as by means of a pipe connection 15. Gas will now flow through the passage 18 to the pilot burner 19 and upon being ignited the pilot light will continue to burn steadily Without interruption. There being little or no gas pressure within the chamber 38 the inlet valve 50 will be in open position and the outlet valve 49 will be in closed position. Now, as the gas enters the chamber 38 it builds up pressure therein and the diaphragm 62 commences to move downwardly against the pressure of the spring 69, rotating the lever 54 in a clockwise direction, as above described, until the struts 58 have passed their central position. Thereupon the arm 48 is quickly rotated in a counteroloclrwise direction by the energy of the distorted springs 56 to the opposite end of its travel closing the inlet valve 50 and opening the outlet valve 49. The entrance of gas to the chamber 38 is now cut olf and there is a flow of gas from the chamber 38 to the burner 32 where it is ignited by the pilot light. This outward flow of gas causes a reduction of pressure within the chamber 38 and the spring 69 urges the diaphragm 62 upwardly again causing a counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 54 until the arm 48 is again snapped over closing the outlet valve 49 again andY opening the valve 50. The flow of gas to the burner now being cut off, the light goes out. Pressure now begins to build up once more in the chamber 38 and the cycle is repeated.

There is thus brought about an intermittent flashing of the light. The length of the darli period is determined by the adjustment of the screw valve 25 regulating the rate at which the gas enters the chamber 38. The length of the light period is determined by adjustment of the burner 32 to regulate the rate of flow of gas therethrough. Also by adjustment of the clamping bolt 6T with respect to the diaphragm 62 by means of the nuts 67a and 671 the connection between the diaphragm and the lever 54 may be adjusted. A lengthening of this connection raising the lever 54 with respect to the diaphragm 62 will cause the arm 48 to snap to closing position of the valve 49 upon a shorter movement of the diaphragm 62, and the length of the light period is thus correspondingly shortened. The apparatus as a whole is highly sensitive and adapted for accurate operation, the pivoted points for the lever 54 and the arm 48 substantially doing `away with friction.

Furthermore, the parts are Iparticularly easily accessible. The valve mechanism is mounted upon the cover member 11 and by simply loosening the diaphragm 62 and removing the cover l1l from the casing 10 the entire mechanism may be withdrawn from the casing 10 and is exposed for convenient access.

Tt will thus be seen that there is herein provided an apparatus which embodies the features of this invention, which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and that the same is well adapted to meet the requirements of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made of this invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the classdescribed, in combination, a pressure chamber, a fluid passage thereto, a valve member pivotally7 mounted to swing into and out of position to control said passage, a diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure within said chamber, a member connected to move with said diaphragm, a spring mounted upon said member, and means interposed between said member and said valve adapted upon movement of the former/to store energy in said spring and upon further movement in the same direction to apply said energy to move said valve.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a pressure chamber, a fluid passage thereto, a valve mounted to move into and out of position to control said passage, a diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure within said chamber, a member connected to move with said diaphragm, a

spring mounted upon said member, and a strut loosely interposed between said spring and said valve adapted upon movement of said member to distort said spring and upon CII further movement of said member in the same direction toV permit said spring to move said valve.

3. In a device of the Vclass described, in combination, a pressure chamber, a fluid passage thereto, a valve. member pivotally mounted to swing into and out of position to control said passage, a diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure within said chamber, a member' connected to move with said diaphragm, a leaf spring mounted upon said member, and means interposed between said spring and said valve adapted upon movement oi said member to distort said spring and adapted upon further movement of said member in the same direction to permit said spring to move said valve.

e. In a device of the class described, in combination, a pressure chamber, a fluid passage thereto, a pivoted member, a valve connected to said pivoted member adapted to control said passage, a diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure within said chamber, a second pivoted member connected to swing .about its pivot in response to movements of said diaphragm, and means interposed-betweenA said two pivoted members adapted upon predetermined movement of the second about its pivot in response to a movement of said diaphragm to snap the first about its pivot to move said valve.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, a pressure chamber, an inlet passage thereto, an outlet passage therefrom, a pair of valves adapted respectively to control said passages, a pivoted member adapted upon swinging about its pivot to open one of said valves and close the other, a diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure within said chamber, a second pivoted member connected to swing about its pivot in response to movements of said diaphragm, and means interposed between said two pivoted members adapted upon predetermined movement of the second about its pivot in response to a movement of said diaphragm to snap the first about its pivot to move said valves.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, a pressure chamber, an inlet passage thereto, an outlet. passage therefrom, a pair of valves adapted respectively to control said passages, a pivoted member having a pair of arms adapted respectively upon swinging about said pivot to open one or' said valves and close the other, a diaphragm responsive to fluid pressure within said chamber, a second pivoted member having a pair of arms one on either side of its pivot respectively extending adjacent said two arms of said first pivoted member and connected to swing about its pivot in response to movements of said diaphragm, and means interposed between each of said arms of said second pivoted member and the adjacent arm of said first pivoted member adapted upon predetermined swinging of said second pivotedv member in response' to amovement of said diaphragm to snap said first pivoted member about its pivot to move said valves.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a pressure chamber, an inlet passage thereto, an outlet passage therea diaphragm responsive to fiuid pressurey within said chamber, a substantially` U- shapcd member pivoted between itsv two arms, said two arms thereof extending respectively adjacent the two ends of said first pivoted member, said U-shaped member being connected to swing about its pivot in response to movements of saidpdiaphragm, and a connection between each of said two arms ofsaid U-shaped member and the adjacent end of said first. pivoted member adapted upon predetermined swinging of said U-shaped member to snap said first pivoted member about its pivot to move said valves.

8. In a. device of the class described, in combination, a, pressure chamber, a. fluid passage thereto, a valve controlling said fiuid passage, a diaphragm responsive to,l

fluid pressure within said chamber, a pivoted member connected to move in response to movements of said diaphragm, means connecting said pivoted member and said valve adapted upon predetermined movement of the former to actuate the latter, and means for adjusting said connection between said pivoted member and said diaphragm-to vary the amount of movenient of said diaphragm required to move said pivoted member to actuate said valve.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, a hollow casing member, a cover member removably secured to said casing closing one side thereof and forming therewith a gas chamber, a source of gas supply, a gas burner mounted upon said cover member, a pair of passages through said cover adapted to connect said chamber with said source of supply and said burnerV respectively, a pair of valves mounted upon the inner side of said cover within said chamber and respectively controlling said two passages, and means within said chamber responsive to gas pressure therein adapted intermittently to move said valves together to open one and close the other.

10. In a device of the class described, in combination, a casing member, a cover niember removably secured to said casing and closing one side thereof, a diaphragm .closice ing the opposite side of said casing, a source of gas supply, a gas burner, a pair of passages through said cover member adapted respectively to connect the interior of said casing With said gas supply and said burner, a pair of valves mounted upon the inner side of said cover member and respectively controlling said tivo passages, a device mounted upon the inner side of said cover member adapted upon predetermined movement to open one of said valves and close the other, and means connecting said device and said diaphragn'i to make the former responsive to movements of the latter.

ll. In a device of the class described, in combination, a casing member comprising a chamber, a casing member forming a closure for one side of said chamber and removably secured tosaid first casing member, a source of gas supply, a. gas burner mounted upon said second casing member, a gas passage connecting said source of supply and said chamber, a gas passage connecting said chamber and said burner, and valve mechanism mounted upon said second casing member controlling said two passages.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination, a casing member comprising a chamber, a casing member forming a closure for one side of said chamber and removably secured to said lirst casing member, a source or' gas supply, a gas burner mounted upon said second casing member, a gas passage connecting said source of supply and said chamber, a gas passage connecting said chamber and said burner, valve mechanism mounted upon said second casing member controlling said tvv-o passages, and a diaphragm mounted Within said first casing member responsive to gas pressure Within said chamber and connected to actuate said valve mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 18 day of February, 1923.

JOHN RUMPF. 

